Plot
Where does the story take place?
The story takes place in urban Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Name 1 Historical Indigenous Issue mentioned in the presentation
1 major Historical Issues that was mentioned was Residential Schools from the late 1800s until the 1990s.
How do Miikwan and Dez support each other through personal trauma?
They share a strong friendship rooted in mutual understanding and cultural connection. Dez supports Miikwan through her grief, and Miikwan offers emotional support when Dez faces the threat of being removed from her grandmother’s care.
Who are the protagonists of the story?
Dez
Miikwan
Name 2 Current Indigenous Issues
Lack of Cultural Identity & Language, MMIWG Or Land Rights and Resource Exploitation & Underfunding in Education & Healthcare
What role does Indigenous culture play in helping the girls survive and heal?
Cultural ceremonies, teachings from Elders, and the presence of spirit ancestors guide and protect the girls.
What is a major theme?
1. MMIWG
2. Friendship and emotional support
3. Colonial systems and child welfare
4. Cultural identity and healing
How many children were removed from their families?
More than 150,000 Indigenous children were removed from their families by force.
What solution is shown for addressing the issue of unsafe environments for Indigenous youth?
The novel highlights the need for culturally supportive spaces and strong community bonds. Dez’s fear of being placed in foster care shows the lack of safety in the system, suggesting a solution through culturally rooted care and family support.
What's the central conflict in the story?
Miikwan is nervous as she remembers her mother's absence after Dez went missing. This individual-case struggle is representative of the broader societal problem of abuse and institutional negligence towards Indigenous women and girls
What were some connections discussed?
They do know who they are, but it has not been an easy process for them to fully embrace that identity because of the systems that existed before their generation, such as residential schools. Dez finds a safe place where language and lessons stick when she goes, which is the Elder.
How does the graphic novel address the silence around missing and murdered Indigenous women?
By telling a personal and emotional story that mirrors real-life experiences, the book breaks the silence. It brings visibility to the issue and encourages awareness through storytelling, education, and activism.
What is a literary technique in the story?
1. Color symbolism
2. Visual storytelling
3. Dual perspectives
4. Graphic novel format
What the author is trying to say?
Indigenous kids have actual trauma and fear of foster homes. The system is trying to protect everyone in their perspective but in reality, they are actually harming them. Residential schools are closed but they still have an impact.
What message does the novel give about systemic change and healing?
It also emphasizes that honoring Indigenous knowledge is key to healing intergenerational trauma.